Not Quite Dating (Not Quite #1)(30)
Author: Catherine Bybee

“What’s assuming?”

“It’s when someone thinks someone is a certain way when they don’t really know if they are a certain way.” Dammit, she shouldn’t have to be defending a date to her son, or Jack, or Monica for that matter.

“You should date Jack,” Danny said, smiling. “We know he’s fun.”

Three sets of eyes pinned her down. “Jack and I are just friends, right, Jack?”

Jack didn’t say a word, just stared at her with a tiny lift in his lips.

“What’s a date, anyway?”

“It’s when two people go out to dinner or do something together to get to know each other.” And why wasn’t Jack helping her here?

“We went with Uncle Jack to the zoo. That was kinda a date.”

“Not quite a date.” Jessie shifted her attention to her son.

“Oh.” He wasn’t convinced. Confusion marked his expression.

“It’s complicated, Danny. You’ll understand when you’re older.”

A few moments of awkward silence filled the air, then Monica said, “On that note, I’ve gotta go.”

“So do I,” Jack said, a smile returning to his face. “Thanks again for inviting me, Danny.”

Danny gave Monica and Jack hugs.

“Have a nice time with the lawyer, Jessie.” Was it opposite day, and Jessie had somehow missed the memo? Jack actually sounded sincere.

“I’m sure it will be fine.” Only now, she wasn’t positive of anything.

Jessie watched Jack and Monica walk away, the two of them talking. She could only guess what about.

Chapter Nine

“I don’t plan on staying out late,” Jessie told her sister for the second time that night.

Dressed in a pair of slacks and a sweater, Jessie was comfortable and casual but not too casual. Wearing small heels with the slacks dressed up the outfit. Besides, Jessie didn’t have the occasion to wear heels very often, so she jumped at the opportunity whenever she could. Something about wearing heels reminded her that she was a grown-up, desirable woman.

“Where are you two meeting?”

“He picked an Italian place by the mall. Antonio’s.”

“I’ve never heard of it.” Monica reached over and tucked a stray lock of Jessie’s hair back into place.

“We’ve passed it a few times. I’ve never eaten there,” Jessie said.

“Call me if things aren’t going the way you want them to and use me as an excuse to come home early if the date sucks.”

Jessie dropped her chin and smiled at her sister. “Thanks. I don’t think I’ll need to use an excuse, but it’s nice to know you’ve got my back.”

“Always.” Monica handed over the black purse Jessie had picked out for the night. “I still think it’s Jack you should be meeting for dinner and not this Brad guy.”

Throwing up her hand, Jessie said, “Enough. You’ve told me this a dozen times since yesterday. I know you don’t approve, but this is what I need to be doing.”

“Because Jack is a waiter and not a lawyer. You’re not that shallow, Jessie, and I know it. Jack likes you. A lot!”

“Did he tell you that?” Jessie had been trying to pry out of her sister the meat of her conversation with Jack for the last twenty-four hours. Monica wouldn’t give up one syllable of their discussion.

“I could see it in his eyes. The way he looks at you is magnetic. Even if you won’t admit it, you look at him the same way.”

Jessie did her best to ignore the energy between them. She could look past the man and not dwell on their one kiss, most of the time. She could wipe the images her mind dreamed up of the man, even the naked ones, most of the time. She could ignore how her heart sped up when she saw him walking into the diner, or her son’s school, or the park, most of the time.

OK, maybe not most of the time, but for a few hours at a time.

Or a few minutes.

She shook her head. You’re hopeless, Jessie.

“I need someone stable, someone who has a real job, a real future. Not some temporary employee of a local hotel who will probably be traveling back to Texas after the holiday season is over. Have you forgotten Rory, Danny’s father? Or Mathew?”

“Mathew? Oh, that guy you dated for, what, ten minutes?”

“It was two months, and he moved in with me, if you remember. His idea of helping out was to take my rent money and leave.” Mathew was an expensive mistake.

She swung her purse on her shoulder and walked out of her bedroom and into the living room, where Danny was talking with Monica’s friend Lynn.

“I’m leaving, Danny. Can I get a kiss?”

Danny pushed away from his Legos and Lynn before putting his arms around her.

“Will you be home before I go to bed?” he asked.

“I don’t think so.”

Danny’s normally happy smile slid into a tiny pout. “Can I go on your next date with you?”

Oh boy. “I’m not sure. I guess we’ll have to wait and see.” The guilt was coming back tenfold.

“I went on your date with Uncle Jack.”

Arguing with him about the dating status and Jack was pointless. He didn’t understand, and Jessie was going to be late if she tried to explain the point again. “I’ll think about it,” Jessie said instead.

Danny took his frowning face and plopped on the sofa.

Jessie waved to her sister. “I’ll see you in a few hours.”

“Call if you need anything.”

“I will. Bye, Monica. Bye, Lynn.” Jessie turned to her son. “Bye, buddy.”

Danny gave her a quick wave but didn’t look at her.

Jessie walked out of the apartment, wondering if she was doing the wrong thing.

She found the restaurant easily enough. Parking was a little tight, but she managed to cram her car into the lot between a huge pickup truck and a Lexus. Glancing at her watch, Jessie realized she was five minutes early. She hoped Brad was already waiting for her inside so she wouldn’t have to wait in the lounge or reception area by herself.

Inside the small Italian restaurant, the heavy smell of garlic and tomato sauce tickled her nose and made her mouth water. The dim lighting shed a nice romantic glow over the dark red booths.

“Welcome to Antonio’s,” a leggy, tall blonde woman about Jessie’s age greeted her.

“I’m meeting someone here. His name is Brad.”

The hostess glanced at her reservation list and smiled. “Your party hasn’t arrived yet, but your table is ready if you’d like me to seat you.”